Researchers from Penn State discussed at the Experimental Biology Conference in May their own little experimental study, featuring some pasta, some veggies, and some 61 preschoolers. It went like this:

Researchers cooked up two versions of a pasta dish. One was made from a traditional recipe, and the other had pureed broccoli and cauliflower hidden in the sauce. The researchers then served up their creations, along with carrots, applesauce, and milk to the kids at a child care center. It turns out the children liked both versions the same. And guess what? When they ate the veggie pasta, they consumed more vegetables and 17 percent fewer calories.

The moral of the story is this: Slip your kids some extra veggies and they may never know it. The researchers do urge parents to still push not-so-hidden vegetables. Because ultimately, the goal is for kids to eat their veggies -- and like them too.